Coming into the 2015 season, the San Diego Padres and new general manager A.J. Preller were all the rage. They had just gone out and gotten James Shields, Justin Upton, Derek Norris, Wil Myers, and Matt Kemp in an attempt to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants for the division title. Fast-forward to today, and we see a Padres team siting at 39-48, 9½ games out in the division and 8½ games out of a playoff spot. Their record through 87 games last year? 39-48. San Diego's gamble has not paid off.
Where did it all go wrong? Well, pretty much everywhere, actually. For starters, the hitting has still been bad. Even with what appeared to be several offensive upgrades, the Padres still have a team wRC+ of just 87 on the year, tied for 25th in baseball. The defense has also been .. not good. An ultimate zone rating of -29.6 on the season for the Padres is the second worst mark in baseball. In addition to that, the pitching staff that used to be the strength of the team now has an ERA- of 111, tied with the Colorado Rockies for the second worst mark in baseball. Add that all up and you get a bad baseball team. Will Preller try to go to the opposite extreme now and blow it all up? Only time will tell. For now though, here's a look around the NL West.
Arizona Diamondbacks (42-42, 5 GB)
The week that was: Arizona had an outstanding week as they won three out of four at home against the Rockies and swept a two game series on the road against the Texas Rangers. Their 5-1 week got them back to .500 for the first time since April 24th.
Upcoming schedule: In their final three games before the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks will head to Citi Field for three games with the New York Mets.
Disabled list: RHP Archie Bradley (15-day, shoulder), C Tuffy Gosewisch (15-day, torn ACL), 2B Philip Gosselin (15-day, thumb), OF Ender Inciarte (15-day, hamstring), C Gerald laird (60-day, back)
Player of the week: Jake Lamb
There were lots of strong candidates for Arizona this week, but Lamb edges them all to earn player of the week honors. In his 19 plate appearances this week, Lamb hit .471/.526/.588, a 211 wRC+.
Colorado Rockies (35-49, 12 GB)
The week that was: This week was as bad for the Rockies as it was good for the Diamondbacks. The club lost three of four at the hands of Arizona, then was swept in a quick two gamer at home versus the Los Angeles Angels.
Upcoming schedule: The Rockies finish up their first half with four at home against the Atlanta Braves.
Disabled list: RHP Christian Bergman (15-day, shoulder), RHP Brooks Brown (15-day, shoulder), RHP Tyler Chatwood (60-day, Tommy John surgery), OF Corey Dickerson (15-day, plantar fasciitis), RHP Jordan Lyles (60-day, toe), 1B Justin Morneau (60-day, concussion), RHP Adam Ottavino (60-day, Tommy John surgery)
Player of the week: Chris Rusin
Not many great options when the team goes 1-5 for the week, but Rusin was solid in his two starts, posting a 2.25 ERA across 12 innings with eight strikeouts.
Los Angeles Dodgers (48-38, 0 GB)
The week that was: The division leaders held steady this week but may have missed an opportunity to really take charge in the division, as they split six home games with the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
Upcoming schedule: Los Angeles finishes up their four game series with the Phillies before hosting the Milwaukee Brewers for three games next week.
Disabled list: RHP Brandon Beachy (60-day, Tommy John surgery), OF Carl Crawford (60-day, oblique), RHP Carlos Frias (15-day, back), RHP Chris Hatcher (15-day, oblique), RHP Brandon McCarthy (60-day, Tommy John surgery), LHP Paco Rodriguez (15-day, elbow), RHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (60-day, shoulder)
Player of the week: Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw was just about untouchable this week. The two-time reigning Cy Young winner put up a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings while walking just two and striking out 20.
San Diego Padres (39-48, 9½ GB)
The week that was: The Padres have not been having a fun time. After winning the first two out of four against the St. Louis Cardinals, they lost five straight; two to the Cardinals and three to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Upcoming schedule: San Diego wraps up the first half of their series with three games on the road against the Texas Rangers.
Disabled list: C Tim Federowicz (60-day, knee), RHP Josh Johnson (60-day, Tommy John surgery), LHP Cory Luebke (60-day, Tommy John surgery), RHP Brandon Morrow (60-day, shoulder) OF Wil Myers (15-day, wrist), 3B Cory Spangenberg (15-day, knee)
Player of the week: James Shields
Shields had just one start this week, but he was outstanding in it, throwing seven shutout innings while allowing only two hits.
San Francisco Giants (43-43, 5 GB)
The week that was: It was not a fun week for the Giants. They lost the finale of their series against the Miami Marlins, were swept in three games by the Washington Nationals, and lost two of three at home to the Mets.
Upcoming schedule: The Phillies come to town for a three game series as the Giants try to right the ship before the All-Star break.
Disabled list: LHP Jeremy Affeldt (15-day, shoulder), OF Nori Aoki (15-day, broken leg), RHP Tim Hudson (15-day, shoulder), RHP Tim Lincecum (15-day, forearm), IF Marco Scutaro (60-day, back)
Player of the week: Brandon Belt
Just about the only Giant to play well this week, Belt slashed .350/.435/.450 with two doubles in his 23 plate appearances this week.